Man pleads guilty in Jefferson City murder

One of the men accused of a 2012 Jefferson City murder admits to his role in the killing. Justin Beasley, 21, officially pleaded guilty on Wednesday. He admits he was with Calvin Hutson during an an attempted drug deal back in December.

According to court documents, the two never intended to give Andre Hudson the drugs. Instead, they were going to rob him. Police said they met in Beasley’s car and shots were exchanged leaving Andre Hudson dead in the back seat. Police arrested both Beasley and Hutson within 24 hours of the murder.

Prosecutors originally charged Beasley with murder, robbery, and armed criminal action. He faced life in prison. The plea deal he agreed to with the prosecutor means he will spend 10 years behind bars. He has to serve at least 85 percent of it before being eligible for parole.

Beasley was the one behind the wheel when the murder happened. After the shots were exchanged in the back seat of the car, he got out and took off. He turned himself in to police the next day and told them everything that happened inside the car.

There was hardly any talking inside the courtroom about the actual case. Cole County prosecutor Mark Richardson wasn’t able to talk about the case much because the pending case against Hutson. He was asked if this plea deal had anything to do with Hutson’s case.

“I believe our list of endorsed witnesses is a full set of witnesses. We always end up adding witnesses as cases move closer to trial,” Richardson said.

The next court date for Hutson is scheduled for November. He still does not have a trial date scheduled yet.